Cumbrian woman's 20 year journey to tackle severe pain leads to endometriosis diagnosis
Watch this report by ITV Border reporter Katie Templeton-Knight
A Cumbrian woman's 20 year journey to find the source of severe pain she was suffering on a daily basis has came to an end following robotic surgery.
Lauren Siddle was diagnosed with severe endometriosis and a couple of weeks ago had life-changing robotic surgery to fix it.
She had previously seen her doctor on numerous occasions but was often dismissed.
Speaking to ITV Border, she said: "I did go to the doctors about it but they just said that everyone's pain tolerances are different.
"So I just thought that I couldn't deal with the pain of my period. I ended up taking a lot of pain medication and that is the only thing that could get me through my cycles.
"Every month was the same, the pain was never really worse one month to another and my husband having to call an ambulance out to the house numerous times just to give me anti-sickness injections to stop me being sick so I could get some pain medication.
"My husband would fill up my hot water bottle all through the night for me just trying to burn the pain away."
What are some of the symptoms of endometriosis?
Pelvic pain
Painful periods that interfere with everyday life
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Pain during or after sex
Painful bowel movements/when having a poo
Pain when urinating/peeing
Difficulty getting pregnant
Fatigue, with one or more of the above symptoms
Lauren eventually went to a private doctor to get a diagnosis after severe back pain led to long days on her feet which became unbearable.
She said: "The diagnosis that I had was that my ovaries had stuck to my spine which was causing all the pain in my back. I had to be referred for robotic surgery because it was really severe.
"So the difference with robotic surgery and standard keyhole surgery is that when you have standard keyhole surgery it is burnt away but robotic surgery gets cut down to the root of endometriosis so it is less likely to come back.
"It had gone into the cavity of my bowel which I just keep thinking back if I didn't have the back pain it absolutely would have went into my bowel and that is when they have to remove your bowel and other organs depending on where it had gone to.
"I am in a way thankful I had the back pain because it really pushed me to take it into my own hands."
The surgery Lauren had cost ten thousand pounds with the treatment also available on the NHS.
Waiting times though for an endometriosis diagnosis can be around eight years, with Lauren feeling fortunate that private healthcare was an option for her.
She said: "Obviously I was lucky I have had private healthcare for years and I know I could have used it this whole time to get answers but I feel like when you go to your local doctor and you are told it is just period pain and everyone goes through this, I kind of felt like you just believe it and that is the answer.
"I remember walking out thinking I really can't deal with pain and I must be really weak with my pain level."
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'Too many women are facing unacceptable waits for gynaecology treatment, and we know that more needs to be done to support women with endometriosis.
'We are overhauling women's healthcare through our Plan for Change to make sure the NHS is there for all women when they need it, including utilising the private sector to cut gynaecology waiting lists.
'This government is committed to prioritising women's health as we build an NHS fit for future. We will ensure that women's voices are listened to, and that women's health is never neglected again."
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